The Durham Performing Arts Center isn't the only under-construction building announcing concerts today. The new Raleigh Convention Center is set to open with "Raleigh Wide Open," a three-stage event featuring some three-dozen acts playing free shows around downtown the weekend of Sept. 5-6. And the most intriguing booking is the great and venerable Chuck Berry, in his first performance around these parts in eons (near as I can tell, he's not played here in the 17 years I've lived in Raleigh). We'll see if the man can still duckwalk at age 81.
The other headliners include hometown buzz band Annuals; a couple of Raleigh Downtown Live alumni, '90s-vintage hitmakers Soul Asylum and Arrested Development; and '70s rock dude Lou Gramm. Bunches more support acts should be announced soon.
ADDENDUM: Unrelated to "RWO," but another cool upcoming downtown event: Magnetic fields at Meymandi Hall Oct. 18.
Comments
I love Chuck Berry. His band
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 11:44 — Lewis123I love Chuck Berry. His band is the most popular in the early 1980's. He truly deserves a place in the history.
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Music City - 1980's Chuck Berry
Sat, 07/19/2008 - 20:11 — tony (not verified)I have some photos somewhere of Chuck with the Pedestrians and Dave Adams of Glassmoon & The Fabulous Knobs. All I can say is that Chuck was not in a very good mood that evening. He seems to enjoy ripping his underpaid pick-up bands a new one just to show them who's boss. Let's just say it's counter-productive. Still a "good" show in my memory, but painful in a "family reunion gone to hell" kind of way.
this is the best concert
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 10:52 — matt (not verified)this is the best concert news in ages for downtown raleigh, i always wondered why i never got to see the greats; chuck, fats, bo diddley..... was it they didn't want to tour? or noone asked?
but now i can cross one of the list, i hope i live to 81!
how about the annuals being Chucks backup band!
Wow - I had forgotten about
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 10:25 — sdailWow - I had forgotten about the keyboard player from Glass Moon. What I do remember was that Chuck's eyes looked pretty glassy and he was verbally chastising the members of the band while they played. They seemed pretty clueless about why he was upset...
I love "Midnight Blue."
Tue, 07/15/2008 - 18:59 — Anonymous (not verified)I love "Midnight Blue."
not only were the
Tue, 07/15/2008 - 17:33 — Anonymous (not verified)not only were the pedestrians hired as his backup band(they were one of the best regional bands from that era) but we also utilized the keyboard player,Dave from Glass Moon.All performed exceptionally and were as frustrated with Chuck as Keith Richard was later
Chuck Berry
Tue, 07/15/2008 - 16:48 — sdailThe only time I remember Chuck Berry coming to Raleigh was in the early 1980s (probably '81 or '82) at the old Music City on Yonkers Road. His backing band was a local favorite called The Pedestrians. I guess that is the show the previous poster is referring to.
chuck berry
Tue, 07/15/2008 - 16:22 — Anonymous (not verified)david I managed a nightclub in raleigh in the early 80s and had the dubious distinction of promoting a Chuck Berry show. If youve ever seen the movie Hail hail rock and roll you would know what to expect. I respect Chuck's place in history but 25 years ago he was atrocious and doubt that he's improved at81. But he was quite the eccentric then and would expect that he is even more so now.